Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1887-04-22
JUDGE HARCOURT.
Continued from Si.rth Page.

from the distinguished Christian states
man forcibly illustrate the doctrine
of separation of church and
state. 1t is also blistering
rebuke to the hot-headed fanatics who
become intolerant and clamerous IN
their excited demands for the overthrow
of personal liberty. For the first time in
our history we have the melancholy spec
tscle presented of the combination Of the
churches throughout the state OF Texas,
srrayed in political warfare against the
Dersonal rights of the citizen, and hear OF
political stump speeches being made on
Sunday from the sacred desk. We can
now see and appreciate the wisdom of
mat clause of the Democratic platform
which saws. Owe favor the separation of
church and state" In the present spas
modiC excitement of some OF
the non-psrtisan pulpit politicians
thew might forget the gentle teaching
and example of their blessed Savior; and
the law of love and kindness; of that
spirit of liberation and forbearanCe, and
wish to do by the power of law what
they have failed to secure by the law of
kindness and gentle admonition. They
might want to enforce by law the attend
apCa upon the churches, and an increase
of the quartersge or pew rates and sal
sries, and their collection by law. 1t will
be remembered how the agitation on the
slavery question began in the northern
ststes-the psalm singing political par
sons, claiming to De the vice-gerents Of
God, denounced the clause in the
constitution which recognized slavery
as a league with hell and covenant
with the devil. They claimed that it was
8 non-partisan question, and by their
persistent agitation excited the bigOtry
and fanaticism of the people until they
involved this country in a bloody fratTi-
Cidal war. The Know-nOtbiug party was
started in the same latitude by the same
sort Of agitatOrs, on the prejudiCeS Of
the people against foreigners and Roman
Catholics. All the isms that have dis
turbed society and produced strife
and discord in the church and in the
body polite have started from the
same hOtbed of bigotry and intolerance.
Amidst all the exciting vicissitudes of the
times, we point with pride to the record
of the grand historic Democratic party,
as the champion Of the rights of the peo-
pie on all these issues. 1t has always
VanQuished its foes, and put down every
ism. When the Democrats Of Texas hear
this question discussed, and see and ap-
preciate the mighty issue Of self govern
ment involved, they will drift away from
the political preachers and rally to
the lofty banner of the grand old Dem
Ocratic party. Let me quote an eX-
tract from one Of the best
and purest patriots that this
country has ever produced, and one whose
voice, as Democratic leader, was always
heard and adopted. 1t is from the mes
sage of Samuel j. Tilden when Governor,
TO the Legis allure of New York. He said:
"Whlle the Democratic party is in favor
OF sObriety and good morals it disOWns
system of Coercive legislation which can
not produce them, but must create many
serious evils, which violate constitutional
guarantees and sound principles
of legislation, invade the right
full domain of the individual
Judgment and conscience and take q step
backward toward that barbarian age
when the wages of labor, the price of
commodities, mans board and clothing
were dictated to him CY a government
calling itself paternaI." This great and
good man was UNANIMOUSLY cheated out of
the presidency by the action and vote Of
the states tavOTing all this prohibitOry
legislation. IL the silly nOn-partisan cry
shall lead the people of Texas into the
adoption of this constitutional amend
ment, then what results? A severe sys.
TEN of prOhibitOry laws must be enacted
by the mex! Legislature. Candidates for
Governor and for the Legislature
must then align themselves with
the Democratic party, or with
the Prohibition party, and for
1-,r, -, 1 ~
exciting political issue in our state poll
tics. You will see your prohibition
friends forming an alliance with The Re-
pu6Hcans, Greenbackers and soreheads,
and ali sleeping sweetIy in the same
teather-bed. But let me warn you that
the bugle notes of battle will arouse the
true and tried Democracy, and they will
again sweep over this state with their
tidal wave majority. Before our people
will try this experiment they
will inquire what has been the
result of this experiment with prohibition
up north. Let me make the Governor Of
Rhode Island, where prohibition was
tried, witness. In his message to the
Legislature several years ago, b" said:
"Many of the provisions of this law were
harsh, tyranniCal and unpopular, and the
aLsCuipL W GAtCuGS II ny UUuy Oh pAlu
officers known as q state cOnstabulary,
after year of trial, proved an utter fail
ure. The attempts to enforce
the law filed our courts with hundreds
Of what were called liquor cases, and to
such an extent as to practically exclude
for time the business in
teTests of the state from obtain
ing q hearing" Rhode Island tried
prohibition, and abolished it as failure
Look at the state of Maine. That state
tried prohibition and abolished it, and
again tried it, and still it is state issue,
and still on trial, and their police records
show that drunkenness has not decreased
Massachusetts, tried it until whisky could
be found in nearly every mans household. |
Then she returned to the license system,
but ii is campaign issue in every state
election. The Rev. George Putnam of
one of her warm
hearted philanthropists and eminent
divines, said of prohibitions: 81 believe !
snd know tdat prohibitory law produces
and disrespect, for the law |
that cannot be enforced. 1t demoralizes |
jurors and witnesses, il demoralizes the |
buyers and sellers Of liquor, inducing |
them to resort to all manner of tricks and |
evasions to do unlawfullY what taey can
-F,A 4 L. -G,,1l l.,